Discovery Suites Ortigas

Location

Discovery Suites is located in Ortigas Centre close to a lot of offices and is within walking distance to three different shopping malls, The Podium, Robinson's Galleria and SM Megamall. El Pueblo is also a few steps away where some restaurants are open till late.  There's also a few convenience stores nearby.

Check In / Out

As we checked-in on new year's day, the front desk was understandably busy.  Take note that their standard check-in time is 3pm so if you're arriving early, it's better to let the hotel know.  Otherwise, you can take the time to go to any of the malls to pass the time.

Checking Out was fast and efficient.

Room Size

We booked the Serendipity Junior Suite room and at 45sqm, we were happy with the size.  The room is rectangular shaped and has been newly renovated.

Sleep Quality

The bed is huge and really comfortable.

Bathroom

The bathroom has a separate shower and tub and is really clean.  The bathroom amenities are generic hotel branded ones but I liked the colors.

Breakfast

Breakfast was okay, nothing really worth writing about.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel has a small pool and a gym that we didn't get to use.

WiFi

Their WiFi speed is one of the fastest ones from all of the hotels that I've stayed in so if you want to catch up on your downloads or do a lot of work without getting frustrated because of the intermittent internet connection, your best bet would be this hotel.


Overall, this hotel is value for money.  If you're the type who'd like to just crawl in bed and torrent away, Discovery Suites is perfect for you.

Discovery Suites Ortigas

25 ADB Ave, Ortigas

Pasig City

Novotel Manila Araneta Center

Location

Novotel Manila Araneta Center is the first Novotel in the country and is also the first four-star hotel in Cubao.  The hotel is right next to Araneta Center, a few steps away from Gateway Mall and is right in front of Shopwise.  KIA Theater, Farmer's Market, and SM Makati are also within walking distance.

Check In / Out

Checking in and out of the hotel were a breeze.

Their keycards look really hip, as is the keycard sensor on the hotel door.

Room Size

I stayed in the Superior Twin Room and liked the comfortable size of the room.

Room View

I had the view of the pool and the construction that was still on-going.  To my surprise, there was no construction noise that bothered me during my stay there.

Room Amenities

The color palette of the room gives off a very modern vibe.  The room has the standard desk.

They also have a couch and I love that they have a custom made small table so that you can work from there.

Wifi is strong and consistent and there were a lot of sockets for your charging needs and connectors to hook up your laptop to the tv.

Robes are provided but you have to request for an iron and ironing board if you need them.

Sleep Quality

The bed provided a good night's sleep. Their uniquely shaped pillow is perfect is you're like me who prefers to stay in bed while using my laptop (scroll back up for the photo of the bed and pillows).

Bathroom

I liked how the bathroom door looks like a closet door.

The shower area and the toilet are separate and the entire area looks and feels really clean. Water pressure is strong, perfect for taking long showers.

They also provided Lanvin soaps.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel's scent brand is pleasant and doesn't assault you, smells a lot like Edsa Shangri-La's scent brand.

I particularly liked the fact that natural light floods the hallways.

Breakfast

My stay didn't come with breakfast but I should try it one time seeing how nice the restaurant looks.

Staff Courtesy

As with what one may expect from any Accor brand, the staff are all very helpful and friendly.

Hotel Amenities

There are still some work to be done on the hotel, they have a makeshift gym for the meantime.

Overall, I was very impressed with the property and while Cubao has not been my usual preferred location for a stay-in, Novotel has changed my mind. 

Novotel Manila Araneta Center

Gen Aguinaldo Avenue,

 Araneta Center

Email H7090@accor.com

Summit Hotel Magnolia

Location

The hotel is located right beside Robinson's Magnolia and there's a door at the lobby that leads you straight to the mall.  Timog would also be about a 5-minute ride away.

Check In / Out

Checking in and out was pretty efficient. They also provide you with free magazines upon check in which was a nice touch.

The hallway looks pretty cool.

Room Size

I booked the Fabulous Suite which was really spacious as you have your own separate living room, a powder room, main bedroom and a large bathroom.

I also liked the bedside tables.

Room View

The Fabulous Suite gives you a view of rooftops while the Magical Suite has one really small panel window, nothing to see.

Room Amenities

The room has the standard minibar and an electric water kettle.  They don't provide bathrobes even if you ask for it.  There's also no ironing board in the room - I'm not sure if they can send one to your room if you ask.

Wifi for the most part is strong and reliable. 

Network signal is bad for Smart and is even worse for Globe. I barely had a signal the whole time.

There was a funky smell in the suite and the air conditioner of the Fabulous Suite was busted so they had to move me to the Nostalgic Suite.

The room wasn't bad, however, it had no tub.

I then moved to the Magical Suite.

Sleep Quality

The bed was large but the sheets could be better.  I also found the pillows to be really uncomfortable. They also have the tempur style pillows in the wardrobe but I didn't bother because I don't find the ergonomic style of those pillows to work for me.

Bathroom

They have nice bath amenities and a large shower area but there's no bidet.

Water pressure is okay but unreliable. When I took a shower at night, the pressure was so weak, the heater wasn't kicking in. 

Hotel Amenities

There are two computers in the lobby if you wish to use one other than that, there are no amenities. It's a small hotel with only two room floors.

Breakfast

Breakfast is at Conti's, a few doors down. You have to exit the hotel to get to the restaurant. 

Staff Courtesy

Staff is friendly, nothing extraordinary.  When they asked me to transfer because of the busted air conditioner, they moved me to a room without a tub.  I called the front desk and requested for one because that is what I specifically booked. They said the only other room with a tub costs more and I ended up paying an additional 500 pesos for it.  I don't mind but if it's not the guest's fault, I would think I shouldn't be paying for it. 

Room Service

Room Service is provided by The Clubhouse which is also in the mall.  The downside is it also operates during mall hours so it's not going to be available if you have a sudden midnight craving.

Good Deals!

Check out their FB page: Summit Hotel Magnolia to get good deals.  I got a special discounted rate because of the Robinson's Rewards card that I have and promo was posted on their page.


Overall, it was an okay stay. I would stay there again because of the value for money.

Summit Hotel Magnolia

Aurora Boulevard cor. Hemady St., 

New Manila, Quezon City

http://www.summithotels.ph/